Richard glanced toward the front of the conference chamber. A large bat stood next to a broad-shouldered, blond-headed man with penetrating blue-steel eyes. The bat stretched her wings out to their fullest. She was the Crosioians’ supreme leader. The blond-headed human was War-King Bistoria.
“That will be quite enough,” said the war-king. Although he didn’t shout, his deep voice carried to the farthest reaches of the chamber. Walking to the stage’s podium, he shoved the meeting’s human moderator out of the way. “Like it or not, the war between our two empires is over. There’s going to be plenty of enemies for all of you to kill before long, but they aren’t in this room.”
The Crosioians’ supreme leader lowered her wings and stepped up next to the war-king. “My, uh, friend, War-King Bistoria, is right. You have all been told what is coming. Even though weaker species deserve to die at the hands of the stronger, I have given my word as a Crosioian scout and as the leader of the Crosioian Federation that we will work with the Intergalactic Empire and their allies to defend our galaxy from what is coming.”
“Never!” hissed a gray-furred bat wearing the uniform of a Crosioian general.
Only half a dozen meters to Richard’s right, she was close enough that he could see her chest turning a dark gray as her facial fur stiffened.
“I ordered my troops to stand down out of respect for my tribe’s leaders,” said the gray-furred bat. “But I can only take so much. I will not dishonor my troops or myself by working with these pathetic humans another second.” She spread her wings to their fullest. “All humans deserve to die. This is the last I have to say on the subject. From now on, I will take action.”
A blast of pure energy shot out from the supreme leader and wrapped around the bat general. The energy blazed bright green before dissipating. Black dust fell to the chamber’s floor where the bat general had been. The room grew deathly still and quiet.
The Crosioians’ supreme leader spread her wings to their fullest. “Are there any other Crosioians who are unable to work with humans? I said I have given my word that we will work with the Empire to defeat our common enemy. I will take it as an affront to my honor if any Crosioian attempts to go back on my promise.”
War-King Bistoria glared at the humans in the room. “I will also have any Empire or Conglomerate officer court-martialed and sent to the military prison on Diajor for the rest of their lives if they disobey the combined council’s commands. We are in this together, like it or not. Demons more horrible than anything you can imagine are coming. No living creature will escape their wrath. We must all work together—humans, Crosioians, and every other species in the galaxy—in order to survive what is headed our way. Now sit down so we can finish this briefing and get back to preparing for a war like nothing you’ve ever faced.”
Humans and bats alike returned to their chairs with a lot of glares at each other as they went. A medical team came in and removed the human general that had been tossed in the air. A bat janitor the Crosioians’ supreme leader had stationed in the room brought a portable vacuum sweeper over to the right side of Richard’s row and sucked up the black dust that had been the Crosioian general. Even the human attendees became somber as all eyes watched the janitor carry his vacuum back up the aisle and return to his position near the door.
Richard leaned toward Red Wing who was now sitting in one of the overly large chairs War-King Bistoria had provided for the bats.
“Your supreme leader’s a tough cookie,” Richard whispered.
“Yes, she is,” said Red Wing fairly beaming at what she took as a compliment.
The supreme leader twitched her ears at War-King Bistoria. “I think we have their attention, my friend.”
The war-king returned her nod. “Yes. I think we do. With your permission, perhaps we should, uh…”
The supreme leader retracted her wings. “Yes. Of course. Let us proceed with the meeting.” Turning, she waved a paw at a human blonde-headed female naval officer in dress whites. “Admiral Bistos, will you do the honors?”
Admiral of the Combined Empire, Conglomerate, United Galaxy Alliance, and Crosioian Fleets Elizabeth Bistos rose from her seat and approached the podium. Both the supreme leader and War-King Bistoria returned to their chairs.
Liz motioned to the tall Crosioian admiral wearing a brown and green camouflaged tunic in the seat next to hers. “Admiral Death-Comes-In-The-Night, would you care to join me? I may have the title, but we are equals in this endeavor.”
The bat rose and made her way over to the podium to stand beside Liz. From the dark gray of the bat admiral’s chest, Richard got the impression she didn’t like being called Liz’s equal.
“As I told you before,” said Nickelo in their shared space, “it is going to take awhile for humans and bats to learn to get along. You just have to give them time.”
Richard snorted. “How much time would that be? Two or three generations until everyone who fought in the war between our two sides are dead?”
“I calculate that would do it,” admitted Nickelo. “However, I believe that the bats and your fellow humans will get along a lot better once the demon army starts their invasion. If I can be permitted to paraphrase an old saying from your home world of Earth, ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend,’ may well apply in our current situation. The demons want to destroy all life in the three galaxies. That’s a strong motivator, in my opinion.”
Richard glanced at Red Wing. “I suppose we get along relatively well, but it’s a tenuous relationship at best.”
“Of course it is,” said Nickelo. “After all, you did kill Red Wing’s mother.”
“The bats killed my father,” Richard snapped back. “Let’s not forget about that.”
“They did not kill your father, at least not directly.”
“They were responsible, Nick, so get off the subject. I’m not in the mood to argue semantics.”
“Whatever,” said Nickelo, using Richard’s pet word for ending a conversation.
Richard sat in his seat and stewed for a while. When Liz began the briefing proper, he forced the memory of the death of his father aside and paid attention. Although he knew the gist of what she was going to tell the assembled officers, he didn’t know the details.
Liz indicated the Crosioian admiral at her side. “Admiral Night Death and I have agreed that it would be, uh…dangerous, to put it mildly, to attempt to merge the armies and navies of our two forces together. We believe that would be too much to ask. Even so, we cannot hope to win the war against the demons as two separate militaries. Admiral Night Death has come up with a partial compromise. The Crosioians, Trecorians, UGA, Conglomerate, and Empire forces will continue to operate as separate but equal entities with their own chains of command for the most part.”
“Admiral Bistos says ‘for the most part’ because there will be some exceptions,” hissed the Crosioian admiral. “We foresee times when mounting attacks with combined units will be required. Each species in our militaries have distinct advantages and disadvantages. With this in mind, we will be creating a new United Confederation of Galaxies force that will integrate the best of our militaries into one. Admiral Bistos and I believe training that force and, uh…overcoming past differences will require a minimum of six months.”
“That’s correct,” said Liz. “Don’t think that will mean those units not selected for the new force will have nothing to do. You’re all going to train harder than anyone’s ever trained before. We’re going to train in ways most of you have never imagined. The allies of the demons are not limited to technology. Magic spells are as common for them as phase rounds are to us. Thanks to the United Galaxy Alliance, we have access to experienced personnel from the magic dimension who will train us in the ways of defending against magic. We in turn will provide them with training in technology from the physical dimension. In six months, the United Confederation of Galaxies military will be the greatest fighting force the three galaxies have ever seen.”
The Crosioian admiral spread her wings, seeming to take care not to shove Liz out of the way as they expanded. “We are going to need that training and our combined abilities. During the last month, I have studied the history of the human’s home world of Earth. During a difficult time of one of their tribes, they had a saying of ‘Together we stand, divided we fall.’ We must stand together now, and we must divide our enemy. With that in mind, Admiral Bistos and I have formulated a plan to attack and destroy the demon’s allies before the main battle begins. We will do that by traveling back in time to the magic dimension where the demon’s Dragar and Tharg have assembled with their allies. We will utterly destroy them in their assembly area before they have a chance to attack us. Our forces must be ready in six months. We will be ready in six months.”
“Six months,” Richard told his battle computer. “I knew what Liz had in mind, but I had no idea it would be so soon. Can we be ready in six months?”
“Well,” replied Nickelo, “I calculate there are two types of life forms in the three galaxies. One type looks at a problem and thinks it cannot be done. The other type looks at the same problem and thinks that it can. Both types are correct. I calculate the real question is ‘What type are you?’”
“I don’t need a lesson in philosophy from a battle computer,” Richard said. “I didn’t say it couldn’t be done, I just wondered if— Well, it doesn’t matter. It’s going to be difficult. That’s all I was trying to say.”
“Of course it was,” said Nickelo. “I never thought otherwise.”
The rest of the briefing consisted of details and organizational layouts for the new United Confederation units. Richard quickly became bored. He almost hadn’t attended the meeting but figured remaining on the Defiant would’ve been just as boring. He rubbed the red-gemmed ring on his left ring finger. “I wish I could’ve gone with Jeena and the others to Portalis.”
“I calculate you will see each other soon enough. You know how important it is for them to find out more about the existence of the Ecarian giants and their yellow gem. In a vision given Telsa by the dragons Tharantos, she saw a human wizard scout kill several giants and destroy the Ecarians’ yellow gem. For all we know, the wizard scout killed the entire tribe, which would explain why they disappeared.”
Richard shook his head, ignoring the stares of those around him. “Doubtful. Jeena told me that Elf Friend Amirithoda was one of the Ecarian giants.”
“Yes, she did. On the other hand, she also admitted no one knows for sure if he became an elf friend before or after the yellow gem was destroyed by the wizard scout. That’s why Telsa and Jeena returned to Silverton. They have to find out more about the Ecarian giants and their yellow gem.”
Richard didn’t feel like arguing. All he knew was that the goodbye with Jeena had been hard.
“You know you could have returned to Silverton with your high priestess,” said Nickelo. “Of course, I calculate a ninety-two percent probability that the Empire, Conglomerate, and Crosioians would resume hostilities if you left before War-King Bistoria and the Crosioians’ supreme leader get control of the situation. If you had left with your Jeena, all hope of saving life in the three galaxies would have been lost. This is just my opinion, but I calculate you made the right decision to stay.”
“Whatever,” Richard said. “What I’d like to know right now is will this meeting ever end? I’m bored. And I’m hungry.”
“You bore easily, Wizard Scout. You are also always a little hungry. What else is new?”
“It’s not my fault Myers forced me to have my DNA baseline taken before I had a chance to eat.”
“I suppose that’s true in an illogical sort of way,” replied Nickelo with a hint of a laugh. “The end result is that you’re always a little hungry and thirsty. I would recommend—”
“Unless there are any questions,” came Liz’s voice from the podium, “that concludes this briefing.”
Richard glanced around the room to make sure no one raised their hand or paw.
No one did.
“All right then,” hissed Admiral Night Death. “We have a war to win.”
Red Wing twitched her ears in Richard’s direction. “I for one am tired of listening to talk. You and I should return to the Defiant. We can get something to eat. Then we can figure out what we should do next.”
The thought of food and drink suited Richard just fine. As he rose out of his chair, his mind began contemplating what he could create out of the items in the cupboards of the recon ship’s galley. He’d become a pretty good cook over the years, if he said so himself. With thoughts of a meal to quiet his growling stomach, he started following the scout to the exit.
A large bat dressed in a camouflaged uniform rushed up and blocked their way, directing her ears at Red Wing. “Scout,” hissed the bat. “Admiral Death-Comes-In-The-Night commands your immediate attendance at a meeting with our supreme leader in the palace library.”
Richard laughed and slapped Red Wing on the back. “Tough luck, old girl. I guess Crosioian leaders are just as screwy as human ones. They were just here, but instead of talking to you then, they’re going to make you go to them now.” He laughed again. “I’ll save you a bowl of Crosioian stew when I get back to the Defiant.” With that, Richard turned and nearly knocked over a human ensign wearing a crisp set of Intergalactic Empire naval whites.
The ensign backed up a step and snapped to attention. “Wizard Scout, Admiral of the Combined Fleets Bistos requests your immediate presence in the library.”
Richard’s stomach growled.
Red Wing’s sensitive ears obviously picked up the sound because she hissed a laugh. “What were you just saying about leaders?”
Ignoring the scout, Richard took a closer look at the ensign. She was young.
“Probably serving an internship with the admiralty during her final year at the naval academy,” said Nickelo. “Try not to give her a hard time. I calculate your Liz can be pretty demanding on her subordinates when she gets irritated.”
“Well, she can be irritated all she wants,” Richard told his battle computer as his stomach gave another growl. “I’m going to get something to eat first. Liz can wait long enough for me to make a stop at the palace kitchen. I’ll be along when I darn well please.”
Concentrating on the ensign, Richard said, “Tell Admiral Bistos that I’ll be there shortly. I’ve got something I need to do first.”
The ensign seemed nonplussed. “Err, the admiral told me you might be a little, uh, obstinate, Sir. She said if you gave me any trouble to tell you that the meeting is most urgent. She also said to tell you the meeting is with a high priestess. She said you’d know what I was talking about.”
A wave of concern washed over Richard. “Jeena’s here?” He glanced at Red Wing before looking back at the ensign. “Well, what are you standing around for? Let’s go.”
Chapter 3 – Man in Black
_____________________
Amir was hard-pressed to catch up with Glory. Finally, he caught a glimpse of her headlamp in the distance and took off running. Even with the help of his portable light-globe to pick out the hazards on the path, he stumbled often. Turning a corner, he saw Glory standing in front of a spear-length wide crack in the tunnel floor.
“Well, it’s about time,” she grinned. “I figured I’d better wait for you here. I didn’t want you talking yourself out of following.”
Amir walked nearer the crack in the stone. A red glow accompanied by the smell of brimstone exuded up from the opening.
Taking three steps back, Glory took a running leap and cleared the crack. Once on the other side, she glanced back at Amir. “Well, are you coming? Or are you going to stand there all day with your mouth open?”
Gathering his courage, Amir stepped back a full six paces. Running for all he was worth, he got to the edge of the crack and jumped. As he passed over the break in the stone, he made the mistake of looking down. Molten lava churned and bubbled only an axe-throw below. Air
hot enough to singe the hair on his arms came up to meet him. His left foot didn’t quite clear the far edge of the crack, and he started to stumble backwards. Amir had a clear vision of himself tumbling into the hot lava.
Glory’s hand grabbed him by the collar of his blouse and yanked him forward. Laughing, she said, “See? I keep telling you to spend more time in the practice yard. Most of our novices can jump farther than that.” She winked. “You’re lucky I was here to save you.”
Sweating from exertion and from more fear than he cared to admit, Amir was in no mood for jokes. “I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for you.”
Glory smiled. “No, you wouldn’t. You can thank me later. Now let’s get going.” Without another word, the giantess continued down the tunnel.
With little choice, Amir followed his bride-to-be.
Before long, the tunnel leveled out at a four-way intersection.
Glory stopped and glanced at Amir. “All right, husband-to-be, which way now?”
Pressing his hand against the warm stone of the tunnel wall, Amir willed his mind to relax. Reaching out, he talked to the stone. It wasn’t so much speech as it was emotion. The black rock remained silent, but Amir got the feeling it was listening. He formed an image of a gem in his mind and let it flow into the stone. He waited five heartbeats; then five more. A feeling that he should go down the leftmost tunnel touched his mind.
Nodding left, Amir said, “That way. I think.”
Glory frowned. “Are you sure? The left tunnel’s going back up. I think that’s the first tunnel the old-timers gave up on. If you’re wrong, we might be down here a long time. You’re the one that’s got to work the extra duty for the chief seeker.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” To be honest, he wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t going to tell her that. “We need to go left.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Glory turned left. Within half a hundred steps, she came to a three-way intersection.
Without waiting for her to ask, Amir placed his hand on the wall and sent the stone an image of a gem. A whisper of an emotion seemed to indicate he should go to the left once more. Again the indicated tunnel seemed to go slightly up. He was confused by the direction but shrugged and nodded to the left.
Wizard Gigantic (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 9) Page 3